Spot Stormwater Violations around a Construction Area

Construction sites are required to install and maintain control measures that prevent soil erosion. Soil erosion happens when water, wind, or gravity move soil from one location to another. The control measures ensure public safety, help keep local waters clean, and prevent flooding, soil loss, and other long-term consequences of erosion.

Look familiar? Contact your Stormwater Manager if you see a violation illustrated in the “Please Report” column. Use the “All Good!” column to learn about the Best Management Practices that contain and control soil erosion.

For immediate assistance contact the RI DEM Office of Compliance and Inspection at (401) 537-4533 or DEM.Compliance2@dem.ri.gov.

muddy storm drain

PLEASE REPORT

Muddy water is an illicit discharge and a violation of the Soil Erosion and Sediment Control plan.

Filter fabrics on storm drains

ALL GOOD!

Filter fabrics on storm drains are a last line of defense against erosion entering waterways. Photo credit: US EPA.

filter sock

PLEASE REPORT

Compost filter socks are highly effective. However sediment must be cleared away regularly or it will pile up and eventually be carried over the compost filter sock.

good sock

ALL GOOD!

Filter sock appropriately placed between construction and a wetland. Area is free of accumulated sediment.

concrete road

PLEASE REPORT

Concrete outwash, which is highly toxic to aquatic life, has been carried by runoff to the storm drain at left.

wash out truck

ALL GOOD!

Designated concrete wash out areas allow for management of polluted water from washing out ready-mix trucks, drums, and pumps.

Sediment tracked into roadways

PLEASE REPORT

Sediment tracked into roadways from construction site entrances presents a public safety hazard.

A well-maintained pad of crushed stone

ALL GOOD!

A well-maintained pad of crushed stone has been placed where construction vehicles pull into and out of site. Photo credit: iowastormwater.org

construction site with no visible erosion control measures

PLEASE REPORT

A small construction site with no visible erosion control measures. Photo credit: iowastormwater.org

straw and mulch on front lawn

ALL GOOD!

A good way to prevent soil erosion at the source is the straw mulching at right. Photo credit: Barry Tonning at Tetra Tech.

Bad tree

PLEASE REPORT

This tree has no protection from excavation and stockpiles. This will result in damage to the roots which may cause it to die.

Protected tree

ALL GOOD!

Tree is protected out to drip line (outermost circumference of a tree canopy) by robust fence.

Uncovered dumpsters

PLEASE REPORT

Uncovered dumpsters may allow pollutants to drain out with rain water. Photo credit: RI NEMO.

dumpster covered

ALL GOOD!

Dumpster properly covered with ends weighted down.

Ground erosion

PLEASE REPORT

Disturbed sediment on a slope has been eroding away under wet weather conditions

Sediment control blankets

ALL GOOD!

Sediment control blankets can be installed on slopes to prevent erosion.

silt fence

PLEASE REPORT

The lot at left is ringed with silt fencing, but the addition of mulch would make this measure even more effective. Photo credit: Barry Tonning at Tetra Tech.

mulching

ALL GOOD!

Straw mulching prevents soil erosion at the source and is also cost effective. Photo credit: iowastormwater.org

exposed and uncovered soils on this construction site

PLEASE REPORT

With no measures to intercept them, the exposed and uncovered soils on this construction site are being washed directly into the road. Photo credit: RI NEMO.

dirt stockpiles are seeded

ALL GOOD!

If a project is going to be halted during the growing season, dirt stockpiles are sometimes seeded to keep the sediment in place. Photo credit: US EPA.